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66 Perth Guide
New Norcia Towers
AVON VALLEY
The Avon Valley offers a taste of WA country life, with its warm hospitality
and historic buildings, beautiful country gardens, fine food and stunning
views. Hot days warrant an early-morning start followed by a visit to
a historic pub, restaurant or museum in the afternoon.
CAR
Take the Great
Eastern Highway from
Perth city and keep
travelling until you reach
Northam, or to head to
York turn off at the Great
Southern Highway.
TRAIN
The Prospector
train joins Perth and
Northam on the Kalgoorlie
route, while the AvonLink
and MerridenLink both
run through the towns of
Toodyay and Northam.
BEVERLEY
The small wheatbelt
town is one of Western
Australia’s oldest
settlements, founded
in 1838, and is home
to plenty of attractions.
The town’s agricultural
roots are proudly
recognised at the
Avondale Discovery
Farm where visitors can
see a working farm in
action. There’s also the
Aeronautical Museum, built
to commemorate the area’s
original WWII airfield, or
you can book yourself an
aerial view by gliding
over the valley with the
Beverley Soaring Society.
GOOMALLING
The town is among the
most rural sites in WA
and its heritage includes
the history of both the
Balardong traditional
landowners and the early
settlers. Although much of
the landscape is dedicated
to farming there’s a slice
of wilderness at The Oak
Park. The park’s walk trail
weaves 3km through
bushland, wetlands and
granite outcrops and
there’s a chance you’ll spot
echidnas, mountain ducks
and heron. The range of
accommodation in the
small town is surprisingly
varied with a caravan park,
rooms at the local tavern,
self-contained units and
cottages. On the outskirts
you’ll find more stylish
options such as cosy
B&Bs and a homestead.
NEW NORCIA
The town was originally
settled by Benedictine
monks and is now
a gourmet destination
for locally made olive
oil, bread, wines and
port. If you’re looking
to stay overnight you’ll
find accommodation
at the Monastery
Guesthouse or the
New Norcia Hotel.
There’s a self-guided
heritage trail allowing
visitors to engross
themselves in the religious
history, artefacts and
manuscripts but it’s
recommended that visitors
join a guided tour, as
there’s so much to learn.
Make sure you visit the art
gallery with its collection of
old-world, European and
contemporary art.
NORTHAM
Established in 1833, the
historic town of Northam is
the gateway to the wheat
belt and only about 40km
from York along Spencers
Brook York Road. With
a population of over 6000,
it’s the commercial centre
for the area’s farming
industry, offering galleries,
supermarkets and various
accommodation options
including hotels, caravan
parks, cottages and
quality B&Bs in historic
homesteads. The Town
Hall, Shamrock Hotel, Old
Post Office and St John’s
Anglican Church are all
heritage-listed. There
are a number of eateries
serving different cuisines,
and with many hotels,
pub food is popular.
A 15km walk along the
Avon River foreshore takes
in many places of historical
significance and is a great
way to explore the area.
TOODYAY
Recognised as a historic
town by the National Trust,
Toodyay is famous as the
old stomping ground of
bushranger Moondyne Joe.
Learn about ol’ Moondyne’s
colourful Houdini-esque
ways at the Old Newcastle
Gaol, or you can even
stay where he did at The
Victoria Hotel-Motel,
a heritage-listed building
offering home-cooked
meals and comfortable
accommodation. As well as
19th century buildings and
sites, there are a couple of
wineries within a 20-minute
drive from the town centre.
The Avon River flows
through Toodyay, and with
the riverside barbecue
facilities, playground and
amenities it’s a popular
picnic location.
YORK
Established in 1831, York is
WA’s fi rst inland settlement.
The town oozes charm and
character thanks to some
of the oldest architecture
in the state, including
Victorian and Federation
buildings. Heritage aside,
there’s plenty to enjoy,
with accommodation to
suit the single traveller
on a budget, couples
looking for a romantic
escape or families seeking
a country experience.
Modern motel units,
heritage pubs, B&Bs, luxury
boutique accommodation,
self-catering cottages
GETTING
THERE
Summercrops(photographyShireofToodyay)
WHERE TO GO
and farm stays can all be
found within the town
or just on the outskirts.
Dining options include
modern Australian, and
fish and chips along the
Avon River, bistro food in
a heritage pub, or relaxed
cafes along the main street.
There are interesting shops
and museums to explore,
riverside parkland to
entertain the kids in,
and festivals and events.